Mosaic Backsplash Tile

Whether you're building a new home or thinking of giving your kitchen a facelift, one element that can really become a focal point of the room is the backsplash wall. While some people opt for slab stone, wood or unusual elements such as whiteboard or textiles, tile is the most common material for the backsplash. This is because most tile is durable, easy to clean and beautiful. The most popular types of tile include:

Natural Stone. Elegant and extremely durable, natural stone tiles are a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Most common choices are marble, granite and limestone, which are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns.

Metal. Copper, aluminum and stainless steel tiles work with ultra-modern lines, country kitchens and everything in between. Choose between brushed or shiny finishes.

Glass. Glass tiles come in every colour of the rainbow and catch the light in beautiful ways. Mirror tiles can also be useful if you're trying to make a small space look larger.

Ceramic. These are clay tiles, fired in a kiln and glazed. They are available in dozens of colours, shapes and sizes. Mexican tiles are unglazed, vividly patterned tiles.

Porcelain. Made of pressed porcelain dust, these tiles are very durable and come in a wide variety of styles and colours.

Designing a Mosaic Backsplash

Any of the above types of tile can be used to create a mosaic and sites such as Pinterest can help you find interesting ideas. Most mosaics are abstract or semi-abstract designs, but depictions of animals, plants or flowers are also common.

The first step is to carefully consider the space you are working with. What part of it will be mosaic? Some designers opt to turn the entire backsplash wall into a mosaic, while others use conventional tiling methods on surrounding areas and limit the mosaic to a particular spot. Is there a large area that would be suitable for a mural or do you want to focus on the spot behind the sink or stove?

Next, think about colour. How much colour do you want in the space? What colours will you use? Many designers choose to create mosaics with natural stone. This allows for subtle variations in colour that give warmth and flow to the mosaic.

Get some graph paper and markers that match the colours of tiles you want to use and draw your design. If you are covering a large space, you will need to tape several pieces of graph paper together. Fill in the squares with colour to see how the finished design might look.

When you're satisfied with the paper design, purchase tiles and lay them out on the floor or on a countertop in the kitchen, using the graph paper as a guide. Leave them there for a day or two so that you can see how the design looks in various lighting conditions. Revise your design if necessary.

When you're ready, use the graph paper as a map and install the tile. Your kitchen will turn into a work of art before your eyes!